FCMAT warns of continued fiscal risk; urges faster implementation of stabilization plans

The Amador County Unified School District and the Amador County Office of Education heard a fiscal health assessment from the state Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) on July 1, after the district recorded three consecutive “qualified” interim budget certifications.

FCMAT analysts told the boards the district’s fiscal “risk score” was in a high band — near 50% — and the county office’s score was about 41%, and urged trustees and staff to accelerate implementation of previously approved stabilization measures. "We are not here to assign blame or identify fault," said Rosslyn Manantala Smith, an FCMAT intervention specialist. "We are here to highlight areas of concern that will hopefully help you guide your course in getting to a better place fiscally."

Why it matters: A high risk score does not immediately remove local control, but FCMAT and state law link repeated qualified certifications and ongoing deficit spending to escalating oversight. If a district exhausts reserves and cannot meet payroll, state intervention and a costly state loan are possible, FCMAT said.

What FCMAT found - Trigger and score: FCMAT said the district’s third consecutive qualified certification for fiscal year 2024–25 required the FHRA review. The district-level score was…